Final answer:
Paul Bloom suggests that empathy, while beneficial for fostering kinship and cooperation within groups, can also be 'weaponized' to exploit in-group biases and justify harm to out-groups, illustrating the dual nature of empathy in human social dynamics.
Step-by-step explanation:
When Paul Bloom refers to the concept that empathy can be weaponized, he is discussing the idea that empathy, while typically thought of as a force for good, can also be manipulated to serve harmful purposes. In situations of kinship and close relationships, empathy can deepen understanding and cooperation, which are essential for group survival and moral development as indicated by Pat Shipman's research. Frans de Waal's work also illustrates that empathy is a core component of social animals' morality, including humans.
However, empathy's intense focus on particular individuals can be used to create division and justify harm towards others who are not the subject of one's empathy. This is where empathy becomes 'weaponized'—it can be exploited to foster us-versus-them mentalities, justify biases, and intensify conflict between groups. Such manipulation of empathy can be seen in instances of tribalism, where the allegiance to one's own group is coupled with antagonism towards out-groups, a concept also discussed in the provided references.